Japan has lifted the tsunami warning issued after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday.
The Japan Meteorological Agency cancelled the alert approximately two hours after the initial tremor, which was initially estimated at magnitude 6.8 by the US Geological Survey.
The quake, which hit at 16:27 local time, triggered immediate emergency responses across the region.
Rescue teams and military personnel are intensifying their search for dozens of missing persons in Kumamoto.
Authorities have confirmed at least two deaths so far, with reports of fires and critical damage to infrastructure in the affected areas.
The focus has now shifted from immediate evacuation to recovery and search-and-rescue operations as the full extent of the damage is assessed.